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Young diplomat killed in suicide attack

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The 25-year-old is believed to be the first U.S. diplomat killed since Benghazi

Two civilians and 3 U.S. service members were killed delivering books to a school

At least 11 children killed in an Afghan/NATO operation Saturday, officials say

The death toll has surged from weekend violence in Afghanistan, with six Americans and more than a dozen Afghan civilians reportedly among the casualties.

Five Americans -- including a U.S. diplomat, a civilian from the Defense Department and three U.S. service members -- were killed while delivering books to an Afghan school, when a suicide bomber struck their convoy in southern Afghanistan's Zabul province Saturday. Another U.S. service member was killed in a separate attack Saturday.

The diplomat's death was a grim reminder of the risks and importance of pushing for change in "one of the toughest places on earth," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Anne Smedinghoff, 25, is believed to be the first U.S. diplomat killed since a September attack in Benghazi, Libya.

"I think there are no words for anybody to describe the extraordinarily harsh contradiction of a young 25-year-old woman with all of the future ahead of her, believing in the possibilities of diplomacy, of changing people's lives, of making a difference, having an impact, who was taking knowledge in books to deliver them to a school," Kerry said.

Kerry: Smedinghoff believed in change

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In separate clashes in Kunar province on Saturday, local officials said, at least 11 children were killed in a NATO operation aimed at Taliban targets. NATO officials said they were investigating reports of civilian casualties.

Kerry was emotional Sunday as he spoke to U.S. diplomats stationed in Istanbul about Smedinghoff's death.

Smedinghoff was "vivacious, smart, capable, chosen often by the ambassador there to be the lead person because of her capabilities," Kerry said.

The attack killed Afghan civilians and wounded four more State Department personnel. One of them was in critical condition in a hospital in Kandahar, Kerry told reporters Sunday.

"I wish everyone in our country could see first-hand the devotion, loyalty and amazingly hard and hazardous work our diplomats do on the front lines in the world's most dangerous places," Kerry said in a statement Saturday. "Every day, we honor their courage and are grateful for their sacrifices, and today we do so with great sadness."

Smedinghoff volunteered for an assignment at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and had been working there since July, her parents said in a statement.

"She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with the Afghan people and was always looking for opportunities to reach out and help to make a difference in the lives of those living in a country ravaged by war," Tom and Mary Beth Smedinghoff said. "We are consoled knowing that she was doing what she loved, and that she was serving her country by helping to make a positive difference in the world."

Afghan children killed

At least 11 Afghan children were killed Saturday in a joint military operation by Afghan and NATO forces, local officials said.

Mohammed Zaher Sapai, governor of the Shigal district, said 11 children were among 18 people killed in the operation.